Top News:
Sean Gregory / Time:
Athlete of the Year … SEE FULL LIST — When Aaron Judge stood in the Yankee Stadium batter's box in late September, he couldn't quite shake the silence. Some 45,000 voices hushed, as if they were at a basilica, not a ball field. As fans anticipated a landmark moment in sports …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Aaron Judge's decision getting close as Yankees and Giants anxiously await — SAN DIEGO — There were plenty of whispers, hints, gossip and false rumors Tuesday, but as the baseball world anxiously awaited Tuesday night, Aaron Judge has yet to decide whether he will spend the rest of his baseball career.
Discussion:
New York Post, New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors, Sports Illustrated and Yanks Go Yard
Pete Caldera / USA Today:
New York Yankees weighing scenarios as they wait on Aaron Judge: ‘Do we remake ourselves?’ — SAN DIEGO — You'd think the New York Yankees have some clear advantages toward their stated goal of signing Aaron Judge. — The history bit. The lights of Broadway. The Yankee brand.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Here are the results of the inaugural MLB Draft Lottery — SAN DIEGO — Major League Baseball conducted its first Draft Lottery on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates walked away with the biggest prize: the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Draft.
Discussion:
Kansas City Star, Arizona Sports, Baseball America, Purple Row, Camden Chat, NBCSports.com, NESN.com, Sports Illustrated, Padres, masslive.com, South Side Sox, Athletics Nation, Federal Baseball, Sox On 35th, Royals Review, Fish Stripes, Cubs Insider, Battery Power, Twinkie Town and MLB Baseball News …
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Pirates win 1st MLB draft lottery, right to pick No. 1; Nats get No. 2 — MLB, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals — The Pittsburgh Pirates secured the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft on Tuesday, during Major League Baseball's first draft lottery.
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing at MLB Winter Meetings on Sean Murphy, Carlos Rodón and more — The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy, and telling interested clubs they will keep the catcher if they do not receive a satisfactory trade offer.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, Sports Illustrated, New Jersey Online, MLB Trade Rumors, Cubs Insider and masslive.com
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Sources: Arizona Diamondbacks interested in Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy — SAN DIEGO — General Manager Mike Hazen has hinted in recent days about the possibility of making unexpected moves. It appears one such move could involve the catcher's position.
Discussion:
Chron, Arizona Sports, AZ Snake Pit, Sports Illustrated, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies To Sign Taijuan Walker — One day after landing Trea Turner on a stunning 11-year contract, the Phillies have bolstered their rotation by agreeing to a four-year deal with free-agent right-hander Taijuan Walker, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports (Twitter links).
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Kristian Winfield / New York Daily News:
Ben Simmons targeting return Friday vs. Hawks: ‘I feel good, really good’ — After missing three straight games with a left lateral calf strain, Nets star Ben Simmons will sit his fourth straight in Wednesday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets but is targeting Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks for his return.
Discussion:
Mercury News, The Athletic and Newsday
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Sources: Free agent Andrew Heaney reaches deal with Rangers — SAN DIEGO — The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free agent starting pitcher Andrew Heaney on Tuesday, further bolstering a rotation that previously added Jacob deGrom, a source told ESPN.
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Japanese star Masataka Yoshida will be MLB free agent — Japanese star Masataka Yoshida will post on Wednesday, sources told ESPN, adding an outfielder to a baseball free agent market with scant depth at the position. — Yoshida, 29, will be eligible to sign with a major league …
Discussion:
Padres, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Jim Krajewski / Reno Gazette-Journal:
Beloved Reno boxing icon Mills Lane dies at age 85 — Mills Lane, who rose to fame first as a boxer, then referee, Washoe County district attorney and judge, died Tuesday morning in Reno. — Lane was 85 years old. — His son, Tommy Lane, told the RGJ that Lane died after being in hospice for the past week.
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Sports Illustrated, Chicago Sun-Times, New York Post and Associated Press
